Integrated image sensor and lens assembly

Abstract

An integrated image sensor and lens assembly is disclosed that includes an image sensor assembly defining an optical axis; a lens holder; and a lens barrel. The lens holder is coupled to the image sensor assembly and includes a tubular body portion terminating in a tapered surface that extends at an angle to the optical axis. The lens barrel is coupled to the lens holder by an adhesive that is applied between the lens holder and the lens barrel such that the adhesive extends in non-perpendicular relation to the optical axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of assembling an image sensor and lens assembly for an image capturing device, the method comprising:
 coupling a first end of a lens holder to an image sensor assembly such that an angled, chamfered rim at a second end of the lens holder extends at an angle to an optical axis defined by the image sensor assembly, wherein the angled, chamfered rim includes a tapered surface, wherein the tapered surface extends continuously between first and second ends thereof; 
 inserting a single-piece lens barrel into the lens holder; and 
 coupling the single-piece lens barrel to the lens holder by applying an adhesive between the lens holder and the single-piece lens barrel such that the adhesive extends in non-perpendicular relation to the optical axis. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the single-piece lens barrel into the lens holder includes inserting ridges extending partially along an overall length of the single-piece lens barrel into the lens holder. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the single-piece lens barrel into the lens holder includes inserting ridges extending non-continuously between first and second ends of the single-piece lens barrel into the lens holder. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the single-piece lens barrel into the lens holder includes inserting the single-piece lens barrel into a cylindrical channel defined by the lens holder. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the single-piece lens barrel into the lens holder includes inserting a first end of the single-piece lens barrel into the lens holder such that a second end of the single-piece lens barrel is exposed therefrom, and wherein the single-piece lens barrel tapers inwardly from the second end towards the first end. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 positioning one or more lenses within the single-piece lens barrel to direct light to the image sensor assembly. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 enclosing the image sensor assembly within the lens holder. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein enclosing the image sensor assembly within the lens holder includes inserting the image sensor assembly into a base portion of the lens holder positioned at the first end thereof, and wherein the base portion of the lens holder extends radially outward in relation to a body portion of the lens holder. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein inserting the image sensor assembly into the base portion includes inserting the image sensor assembly into a recess defined by the base portion. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein enclosing the image sensor assembly within the lens holder includes inserting the image sensor assembly into a base portion of the lens holder extending radially outward in relation to a body portion thereof, wherein the body portion defines a first transverse cross-sectional configuration, and wherein the base portion defines a second transverse cross-sectional configuration that is different than the first transverse cross-sectional configuration. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7 , wherein enclosing the image sensor assembly within the lens holder includes inserting the image sensor assembly into a base portion of the lens holder extending radially outward in relation to a body portion thereof, wherein the body portion defines an annular transverse cross-sectional configuration, and wherein the base portion defines a non-annular transverse cross-sectional configuration. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 orienting the single-piece lens barrel such that a radial extension on the single-piece lens barrel is positioned externally of the lens holder. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 orienting the single-piece lens barrel such that a radial extension on the single-piece lens barrel is positioned externally of the lens holder, wherein the radial extension is located between ridges extending along an exterior surface of the single-piece lens barrel and an end of the single-piece lens barrel. 
 
     
     
       14. A method of assembling an image sensor and lens assembly for an image capturing device, the method comprising:
 providing:
 an image sensor assembly defining an optical axis; 
 a lens holder including:
 an angled, chamfered rim at an outer end of the lens holder extending at an angle to the optical axis, wherein the angled, chamfered rim defines an uppermost surface and a tapered surface devoid of threading; and 
 an inner surface extending from the angled, chamfered rim such that the tapered surface extends between the uppermost surface and the inner surface; and 
 
 a lens barrel having a first end and a second end; 
 
 coupling the lens holder to the image sensor assembly; and 
 adhesively securing the lens barrel within the lens holder. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein adhesively securing the lens barrel within the lens holder includes inserting the lens barrel into the lens holder such that external ridges extending non-continuously between the first end of the lens barrel and the second end of the lens barrel are positioned within a cylindrical channel defined by the lens holder. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 orienting the lens barrel such that a radial extension on the lens barrel is located between the external ridges and the second end of the lens barrel, whereby the radial extension is spaced from the lens holder along the optical axis. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , wherein coupling the lens holder to the image sensor assembly includes inserting the image sensor assembly into a base portion of the lens holder extending radially outward in relation to a body portion thereof, wherein the body portion defines an annular transverse cross-sectional configuration, and wherein the base portion defines a non-annular transverse cross-sectional configuration. 
     
     
       18. A method of assembling an image sensor and lens assembly for an image capturing device, the method comprising:
 coupling a lens holder to an image sensor assembly defining an optical axis; 
 inserting a lens barrel into the lens holder; and 
 securing the lens barrel to the lens holder by applying an adhesive to an angled, chamfered rim terminating at an end of the lens holder and extending in non-perpendicular relation to the optical axis. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein inserting the lens barrel into the lens holder includes inserting the lens barrel into a body portion of the lens holder including:
 an inner surface; and 
 a non-threaded surface defined by the angled, chamfered rim and extending:
 radially outward from the inner surface; and 
 axially along the optical axis, wherein the non-threaded surface includes first and second ends and extends continuously therebetween. 
 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 orienting the lens barrel such that a radial extension on the lens barrel located between first and second ends thereof is spaced from the lens holder along the optical axis.